Bertha Payne
Bertha Payne
       
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Bertha Payne Bertha Payne is a Soul Blues singer from Memphis.
Album Discography
1. Ain't No Love Lost
** The so-called "Southern Soul" market is a great place to get your music out there if you're independent and have a low production budget. Much of the programmed music is really demo quality but folks don't seem to mind. You'll never hear "Glamorous" Bertha Payne (alleged niece of Koko Taylor) on Clear Channel but she could make a 'lil noise on the Chitlin' Circuit. The first strike against "Bedroom Offer" is the LP price for a 5-song EP. It's a glorified maxi-single. The title cut has it's moments. This shuffle bumper shows Payne sings "If all you have to offer is your bedroom that won't get it!" Surely that will strike a nerve with the same folks that dug the message behind Sheba Potts-Wright's "I Can Hear Your Macaroni" or Denise Lasalle's "A Woman Needs Money". An interesting aspect is the similarity of the phrasing in the verses to "I Just Want To Make Love To You" being this song is saying just the opposite. Nice touch. Payne's voice has it's charm it's unadorned shakiness but she isn't gong to make Shirley Brown sweat. The only other track of interest is the Downhome Blues "Ain't No Love Lost" with it's nifty keyboard roll.
1. Born to Do This *** Bertha begins flexing her chops right from the tough gal Blues "Born To Do This" which opens this healthy dose of Downhome Blues & Southern Soul. She may be glamorous but she'll open up a can of whoop-ass if you trifle with her. "I can bring eyesight to the blind/Bring that darkness to the light/I can show you the kind of colors that you've never known/I was born to do this so it all comes naturally!". It's the kind of tongue-in-cheek braggadocio Koko Taylor excels at. Wouldn't you know it but Payne's the niece of Mz. Taylor. Bertha's voice isn't thunderous like Koko's but powerful in it's own way. Dig that burst of vibrato that finishes her incantations. Don't fret guys because she praises the man on "Whatever It Takes". "He tells me: You are my pride and joy. I'd walk ten miles just to see your smile"/In so many ways I can feel his love". I have to admit I just love sistas that can belt the Blues and then turn around and display that feminine surrender that completes a woman. Like Tyrone said: A woman was made to be loved. But just because she's soft don't thin you can use her. "Bedroom Offer" is a booty bumpin' shuffle with Payne tellin' ya: "If all you have to offer is your bedroom that won't get it...my life ain't all about a booty call." Surely that will strike a nerve with the same folks that dug the message behind Sheba Potts-Wright's "I Can Hear Your Macaroni" or Denise Lasalle's "A Woman Needs Money". Interesting is the similarity of the phrasing to "I Just Want To Make Love To You" being this song is saying just the opposite. Nice touch. Other notables be the Downhome Blues "Ain't No Love Lost" with it's nifty keyboard roll. The midtempo Soul roller "Whatever It Takes" has a terrific vocal arrangement with Sweet (Carnadia Anderson) and Babi (Nina Moore) weaving their sexy voices around Bertha's. My personal favorite is the funky "Knock That Down" with a phat bassline, blaring synth horns and attitude supreme. Purists may balk at the hybrid of synth and live instruments but they'll be missing out. Bottom line: Get glamorous baby!
1. UP IN HERE
1.
It's Friday
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"Bedroom Offer" (self 2005)
"Glamorous" (Fi-Rea 2005)
"Let's Get This Party Started" (Bertland 2009)
"It's The Blues In Me" (Bertland 2013)